Ellis Lankster: Fighter, Hero, Inspiration

By Jake Steinberg | Aug 24, 2012 | 2:00PM

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Jets cornerback Ellis Lankster has been getting attention all summer and with his outstanding play during camp Lankster, 25, has earned the nickname, "Ellis Island." Now in his second year with the team, the young cornerback is settling into a spot on the roster and could be serious contributor to this defense thanks to his skills, his dedication to work and the help of some very excellent corners who play with him.

During the 2012 training camp, Lankster has made his presence on the field known with solid tackling and continued improvement.

“I feel like I've improved as far as slowing my game down,” Lankster said. “I've been working on my hips, getting stretched every day. I'm trying to follow Cromartie and Revis, how they take care of their body. What I'm lacking is being consistent on every play."

For Lankster that means not to altering his technique with each receiver he faces, but rather remain the same on each and every play, no matter the opponent.

He's not the only one focused on it. Revis and Cromartie are in his ear constantly. “They both fuss at me all the time,” Lankster said. “I have the best corners to watch and learn from. And me and Cro are really close so he doesn't care what he says to me or how he says it. He'll just say, ‘Shut up and get it done,' like a big brother would.”

The Jets plan to use Lankster a lot this season. DB Coach Dennis Thurman is excited about him. "Ellis Lankster has great physical talent. He can cover slots, he can cover tight ends, he can cover backs, and he can blitz," Thurman said.

Thurman isn't the only one excited about Lankster's potential. Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine had this to say about Ellis, "As far as the fourth corner spot, I would have to say there is a young kid by the name of Ellis Lankster who played primarily special teams for us a year ago. He’s done a real nice job for us and he’s taking on a bigger role."

Now that you know a little bit about Ellis on the field, it's time to get to know the man off of it. Lankster is more than just a playmaker though. He is an inspiration, a hero, and a fighter.

As Lisa noted, Cromartie and Revis are acting as "big brothers" to Lankster. In return, Lankster does the same to younger generations. "Ellis loves helping younger athletes and all of our high school and college guys look to him as a "big brother". You can't come away meeting Ellis and not be impressed by him and attracted to his genuine nature," said Vince McConnell, Owner/Operator of McConnell Athletics and Ellis' Performance Strength/Conditioning.

If you look around the NFL today, it will be hard to find a more dedicated and talented person than Lankster. "Ellis is gifted with rare athletic tools that made it easy for him to "get by" with mechanical errors in high school and early West Virginia University days," Coach McConnell told me.

McConnell continued, "With a willingness to learn, acknowledge weak links, and work out of his comfort zone, Ellis has become a bonafide NFL CB with a work ethic that is as rare as the aforementioned athletic skills he possesses. Ellis personifies what McConnell Athletics' pyramid of excellence is all about: Commitment/Consistency/Confidence/Conquer. As well, Ellis is one of the most humble, generous people you'll find."

"In my nearing-30-years of coaching [athletes], Ellis is my favorite all-time to work with. I say this not just because of his accomplishments but due to what he is doing with what he has been given as well as the way he combines incredible confidence to perform at world-class levels along with a humility and willingness to keep learning.," McConnell said.

But there is something else about Lankster, something that distinguishes him from the many other hardworking athletes in the league. Lankster suffers from stuttering, and it is something he has to deal with every single day since he was a child. While it would be very easy for Ellis to be embarrassed and shy away from the media and spotlight, he does the exact opposite. In fact, Ellis has teamed with the Stuttering Foundation, and has made it his goal to help kids that stutter around the world overcome their fears.

So what is stuttering? According to the Foundation’s website, stuttering is a communication disorder that causes things such as abnormal stoppages in speech or words broken by repetition. More than 68 million people worldwide stutter.

In early May, Ellis was awarded for all the work he does for the stuttering community. Lankster was presented with the “Converting Awareness into Action” Award at the Stuttering Foundation Gala in honor of National Stuttering Awareness Week.

"God made me a star football player who stutters for a reason, so I can help other people who stutter," Lankster said.

"Ellis shows his true toughness by sharing his struggles with fluency as a child. He refused to let his stutter keep him from his dream of playing professional football, and he is committed to helping and inspiring children attain their dreams by overcoming the obstacles they face," said Jane Fraser, president of the Stuttering Foundation.

As part of his mission to give back, Ellis gave the Stuttering Foundation two tickets to the Giants game on August 18th. Below Max and his father, courtesy of Ellis, enjoyed the game.

It's difficult to figure out what is bigger, his smile or his heart. Ellis has used this problem to turn it into something special.

Lankster spent this offseason training with McConnell and, as always, helping others. "Ellis has an incredible way of communicating with training partners and teammates to inspire them to new levels. His desire to be assisting hands-on with high school DB's, and youth athletes, reveals his willingness to share and ability to coach," McConnell said. "Our young athletes are tremendously inspired by Ellis' head-on addressing of stuttering. It shows them that they CAN do same with any challenge they may face. Ellis has turned what appears to be a "negative" into a strong positive. NFL gives him platform to be more visible in his victorious day to day life."

"The fact that he deals with stuttering is a non-issue due to this aspect of his inner fiber. The way he embraces others is simply a reflection of how self-acceptance transcends challenges such as the stuttering," McConnell said.

So this season, when you are watching Lankster on Sunday's be sure to remember he Ellis is a hero, a fighter, and a huge inspiration to millions of kids who stutter around the world.

Jets re-sign DL Xavier Cooper for 2018 season

Mar 19 | 8:14PM

Cooper began the 2017 season with the 49ers before becoming cut in late October. The Jets scooped him up on Halloween, and he ended up playing eight games, totaling 10 tackles and one sack in the process.

The 26-year-old filled in during Muhammad Wilkerson's suspenion, and impressed as a fill-in. He will likely be vying for a depth role on the defensive front as well this season.

Could the Jets fill some of their needs via trade?

By Bent | Mar 19 | 7:43PM

Now that the first and second waves of free agency are winding down, NFL teams are fairly limited in their options. There may still be upgrades available, but most players still on the market are damaged goods in one way or another.

However, with plenty of cap space still remaining and, let's face it, several positions at which they could still upgrade, perhaps the Jets are in a position whereby they could explore the trade market instead.

The Jets just gave up three second-round picks to move up in the draft, probably taking them out of contention if a star player like Dez Bryant became available. Perhaps they could trade for someone without reducing their total number of picks by way of a pick exchange or even deal a veteran player from a position of strength. Would they be prepared to trade Bilal Powell, Jermaine Kearse or one of their young backup receivers or cornerbacks?

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Daily News Live: Which QB will the Jets pursue?

Mar 19 | 6:16PM

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Forecasting the NFL Draft00:05:05

Ralph Vacchiano joins Daily News Live to discuss which quarterback the Jets might take with their No. 3 overall pick in the NFL Draft.

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Bridgewater excited to be a part of 'ambitious' Jets team

Mar 19 | 4:00PM

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(Brad Rempel)

The Jets' newest QB Teddy Bridgewater can't wait to be a part of what his new team is building.

The 25-year-old made his move to the Jets official on Sunday when he signed a one-year, $6 million deal that has $9 million in incentives tied to it. He becomes another young asset for the Jets, and he couldn't be any happier to try and revitalize his career in this environment.

"I'm excited about the direction we're headed in," Bridgewater told Jets.com's Ethan Greenberg. "I'm excited to be a part of something that can be very special and I just look forward to getting to work with the guys and a great year."

Here is the most up-to-date information on whom the Jets have added and lost during free agency, including contract details and salary cap information. The official signing period begins Wednesday at 4 p.m., so be sure to bookmark this page and check back for frequent updates.

JETS SALARY CAP SPACE

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Jets could take shot on WR Terrelle Pryor

Mar 19 | 12:00PM

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(Brad Mills)

The Jets may be looking to bring in more offensive help as free-agent WR Terrelle Pryor is expected to visit the team on Tuesday, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirmed.

Pryor, who is currently meeting with the Seahawks Monday, will fly directly to the east coast for his meeting tomorrow.

He was a big free-agent target last offseason after producing a 1,000-yard season on 77 receptions with the Browns in 2016. He eventually signed a one-year, $6 million pact with the Redskins, but his production fell drastically due to injury.

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Jets missed out on dynamic offensive weapon in Jerick McKinnon

Mar 19 | 12:30PM

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The Jets made a solid offer, but it wasn't enough to land one a dynamic weapon in RB Jerick McKinnon this offseason.

McKinnon was high on the Jets' list of players they sought with their generous cap space this offseason, according to the Daily News' Manish Mehta. However, he eventually signed a four-year, $30 million deal with the 49ers that includes $12 million guaranteed for next season.

Like the Jets, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan understood how versatile McKinnon's skill set could be in his offense, which is why he made such a hard push for him. Jets' OC Jeremy Bates and run-game coordinator Rick Dennison both worked under Kyle's father, Mike Shanahan, so it isn't surprising a player like McKinnon was high on their radar.

What's next for the Jets this offseason?

Aug 12, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan reacts on the field before a preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Armed with $90 million-plus in salary cap space and extra draft picks, Jets GM Mike Maccagnan has been a busy man the last few days. He's reshaped his roster, reset the quarterback position, and possibly put his franchise in contention for the next few years.

Mike Maccagnan makes legacy-defining trade: He better be right

Ernie Accorsi knew back in 2004 that he would always be remembered as the GM that brought Eli Manning to the Giants. Whether it worked out or not, that would be his legacy, regardless of everything else he accomplished in his career.

That's the way it now is for Mike Maccagnan. He began to define his legacy as the Jets GM with the bold trade he made on Saturday to ship three second-round picks to Indianapolis to move up from 6 to 3 in the NFL draft. And in less than six weeks, on April 26, he will further define it when he picks the player he expects will be the Jets' long-awaited franchise quarterback.

Now he just better be right...

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Maccagnan's bold trade aims to solve Jets QB quandary

Jets acquire no. 3 pick in draft from Colts

Nov 2, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan on the sidelines before a game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

The Jets have spent years, even decades stuck in Quarterback Hell, in a never-ending search for an elusive franchise quarterback.

And Mike Maccagnan is serious about ending that run.

The Jets GM made the boldest move of his tenure on Saturday morning, making a stunning trade to move up even closer to the top of the 2018 NFL draft. He acquired the No. 3 overall pick from the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for the No. 6 overall pick, the Jets' two second-rounders (37th and 49th) and a second-rounder in 2019...

Tyrann Mathieu, a player on the Jets' radar, has agreed to a deal with the Texans, reports ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Schefter is reporting the deal is worth one-year, $7 million for the Honey Badger.

The Jets were looking for some more help in their secondary, and even S Jamal Adams tried to recruit his LSU friend to New York.

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Daily News Live: Bowles, Maccagnan scour draft options at QB

Mar 16 | 6:51PM

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Jets aiming to draft a QB00:03:54

The Daily News Live panel discuss the Jets' quarterback options in this year's NFL Draft.

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Demario Davis surprised Jets 'didn't make me an offer'

Mar 16 | 10:30AM

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New York Jets inside linebacker Demario Davis against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. (Aaron Doster/USA TODAY Sports)

Former Jets linebacker Demario Davis said he felt surprised New York never made him an offer in free agency before he signed with the New Orleans Saints.

"The shocking thing was the Jets didn't make me an offer, so that made my decision easy because all I had to do was look at the contenders," Davis said, according to the New Orleans Advocare's Rod Walker. "It would have been something to weigh."

Jets re-sign CB Morris Claiborne to one-year deal

Mar 15 | 9:10PM

New York Jets cornerback Morris Claiborne breaks up a touchdown attempt to Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jarvis Landry in the second half at MetLife Stadium. (Robert Deutsch/USA TODAY Sports)

The Jets have re-signed CB Morris Claiborne to a one-year, $7 million deal, SNY's Ralph Vacchiano confirms. The news was first reported by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network.

Last season, Claiborne started and played in all but one of the Jets' games. The 28-year-old had one interception and eight passes defended, as well as 46 tackles. He was drafted 6th overall by the Cowboys in the 2012.

Claiborne returns to an improved secondary after the Jets signed CB Trumaine Johnson to a five-year, $72.5 million deal. Johnson is expected to be the team's no. 1 corner.

The Jets have signed K Cairo Santos, the team announced. The deal is one-year, according to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.

Santos, 26, endured an injury-riddled 2017. He injured his groin in preseason, kicked the first three games for the Chiefs before being placed on IR and released in September. He signed with the Bears in November, kicked in two games then was placed on IR again after re-injuring his groin. Between the two teams, he made four of his five field goal attempts.

For the first three years of Santos' career, he converted 84.3 percent of his field goal attempts overall and was 7 for 12 from 50 yards or more. Santos replaces the outgoing Chandler Catanzaro, who signed with the Buccanneers.

Santos was born in Brazil and first learned of American football when he came to St. Augustine, Florida as an exchange student before playing college football at Tulane. He's the first Brazilian to play in the NFL.

Analyzing the Jets' free-agent additions so far

Minnesota Vikings quarterback Teddy Bridgewater drops back to pass during the first half an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers Sunday, Jan. 3, 2016, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer) (Mike Roemer/AP)

The top priority for the Jets was absolutely clear: Find a franchise quarterback. End the decades-long search. That's why they went so hard after free agent Kirk Cousins.

But they couldn't sign him. And so their never-ending question at quarterback remains.

Though it's hardly their fault that Cousins chose a better situation in Minnesota over the future potential of the Jets, the quarterback situation still looms big over what has otherwise been an incredibly successful start to free agency for GM Mike Maccagnan and the Jets...

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Seferian-Jenkins signs two-year deal with Jaguars

The Jets had recently upped their offer to Seferian-Jenkins

Mar 15 | 4:35PM

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New York Jets tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins catches a touchdown pass during the second half of their game against the Carolina Panthers at MetLife Stadium. The play was overturned on review for failure to maintain possession of the ball. (Ed Mulholland/USA TODAY Sports)

TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins is leaving the Jets for the Jaguars, Seferian-Jenkins posted on Thursday while giving gratitude to the Jets. Seferian-Jenkins also visited with the Seahawks.

The deal is for two years and $10 million, and can be worth as much as $11 million, a source confirmed to SNY's Ralph Vacchiano.

The Jets increased their offer to Seferian-Jenkins Tuesday night, according to Vacchiano. The original offer was $8 million for two years, with not much guaranteed.

Which players could Jets target to fill remaining holes?

By Bent | Mar 15 | 3:30PM

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Nov 2, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets general manager Mike Maccagnan on the sidelines before a game against the Buffalo Bills at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports (Brad Penner)

Bent, theJetsBlog.comFollow on Twitter: Now that the first wave of free agency is over, we can start to take stock of the outstanding needs for the Jets and potential ways to address these in free agency.

Defensive End

Mike Maccagnan downplayed the need for defensive line help following the departure of Muhammad Wilkerson, but the team probably still needs to add a starting-level player to replace him...

It became official on Tuesday afternoon when McCown re-signed with the Jets, according to his agent, Mike McCartney. The 38-year-old McCown returns on a one-year deal, according to an NFL source, that could pay him as much as $10 million.

The Jets officially announced the deal on Wednesday night.

And that is Part 2 of what SNY has reported is the Jets' Plan B at quarterback. Part 1 is signing 25-year-old Teddy Bridgewater -- and as SNY reported earlier on Tuesday, the Jets are currently engaged in contract talks with the soon-to-be-former Viking.

How does Avery Williamson fit in Jets' defensive system?

By Bent | Mar 14 | 12:00PM

Much of the attention surrounding the Jets' offseason moves so far has been centered around the quarterback position with the addition of Trumaine Johnson stealing most of the non-quarterback headlines. However, the Jets filled an important spot with the signing of former Titans linebacker Avery Williamson last night. Let's consider how well he fits into what the Jets typically like to do on defense.

On the face of it, this seems pretty straightforward; Williamson replaces Demario Davis as the team's Mike linebacker, and slides into his role. However, it might not be as simple as that.

Jets to sign Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday

After the Jets missed out on quarterback Kirk Cousins, the team is set to sign Teddy Bridgewater and bring back Josh McCown.

The Jets' Plan B at quarterback now officially stands for (Teddy) Bridgewater.

With the quarterback that the Jets desired (Kirk Cousins) heading to Minnesota, the Jets quickly turned their attention to Bridgewater on Tuesday and they are now expecting to sign him when the free-agent signing period opens on Wednesday, according to an NFL source.

The Jet Stream: Reaction to Cousins signing with Vikings

Mar 13 | 3:00PM

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Jonas Schwartz and Willie Colon are back for another edition of The Jet Stream podcast, where they discuss missing out on Kirk Cousins and the possibility of signing Teddy Bridgewater. Later, the guys talk about where GM Mike Maccagnan should focus his attention as the free agency period starts.

Could RB Dion Lewis fit in Jets backfield?

Jets among teams showing interest in the Patriot

Mar 13 | 2:40PM

The Jets are looking to add some running back help. And if they can take a key player away from the New England Patriots, even better.

They'd accomplish both if they're able to sign free agent Dion Lewis, whom they are interested in according to an NFL source. The 27-year-old Lewis is one of the top backs on the market, and the Patriots are trying to lure him back too.